There’s nothing cozier than waking up to the aroma of Pumpkin French Toast Casserole bubbling away in the oven. Rich and custardy on the inside, beautifully crisp on top, and swirled with fragrant pumpkin pie spice, this dish is a celebration of everything we love about fall mornings. It’s a breeze to assemble the night before, making holiday brunches or lazy weekends feel truly special and wonderfully stress-free. Whether you’re serving a family crowd or treating yourself, Pumpkin French Toast Casserole brings irresistible autumn comfort right to your breakfast table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the ingredients for this Pumpkin French Toast Casserole is wonderfully simple—the magic happens when the basics come together, from fluffy brioche to warm spices, golden butter, and a luscious pumpkin custard. Every element plays its part, building a casserole that’s brimming with flavor and charm.
- Brioche or French bread: Day-old bread soaks up the custard better and delivers that perfect soft-yet-structured texture.
- Pumpkin puree: The heart of this casserole, adding rich flavor and that unmistakable orange hue.
- Large eggs: These give structure and creaminess to the custard.
- Whole milk: Full-fat milk creates a lush, tender base.
- Heavy cream: Adds decadent richness for a true holiday-worthy bite.
- Brown sugar: Offers a hint of molasses flavor and keeps things toasty and sweet.
- Granulated sugar: Ensures balanced sweetness and a little caramelization.
- Pumpkin pie spice: The quintessential fall blend—cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves all in one compact punch.
- Ground cinnamon: A little extra cinnamon turns up the cozy factor!
- Vanilla extract: Gives the custard a beautiful warmth and depth.
- Salt: Brightens and balances all the sweet and spicy notes.
- Unsalted butter (melted): Keeps everything moist and delicious.
- All-purpose flour (for topping): The foundation for a crumbly, crisp finish.
- Brown sugar (for topping): Sweetens and caramelizes the topping perfectly.
- Ground cinnamon (for topping): Makes the topping pop with extra spice.
- Salt (for topping): Just a pinch for balance.
- Unsalted butter (cold and cubed, for topping): The secret to a beautifully crumbly streusel.
- Maple syrup, for serving: The crowning touch—pour it generously right before you dig in.
How to Make Pumpkin French Toast Casserole
Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish and Bread
Begin by greasing your 9×13-inch baking dish so every bit of your Pumpkin French Toast Casserole lifts out golden and perfect. Arrange the cubes of day-old brioche or French bread in an even layer, making sure there’s plenty of room for that luscious custard to seep into every nook and cranny.
Step 2: Whisk Together the Pumpkin Custard
In a large mixing bowl, whisk the pumpkin puree, eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, granulated sugar, pumpkin pie spice, extra cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt until your mixture is smooth and well-blended. The aroma at this stage already hints at the delight ahead!
Step 3: Soak the Bread
Pour your custard evenly over the bread cubes, pressing down gently so the bread can fully absorb all that delicious pumpkin mixture. This step is key! Once everything is soaked through, cover the pan tightly and refrigerate for at least 3 hours—or let it work its magic overnight for the best texture and flavor.
Step 4: Make the Streusel Topping
When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a separate bowl, blend together the all-purpose flour, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Cut in the cold cubed butter using a pastry blender (or just your fingers for a hands-on approach), until the mixture transforms into crumbly, buttery goodness.
Step 5: Assemble and Bake
Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the soaked bread. Don’t forget to drizzle the melted butter over the top for an extra golden crust! Bake your Pumpkin French Toast Casserole for 45-50 minutes, until the center is set and the top is irresistibly crisp and golden-brown. Allow to cool slightly before serving.
How to Serve Pumpkin French Toast Casserole
Garnishes
Give your Pumpkin French Toast Casserole the royal treatment with a drizzle of pure maple syrup and a dusting of powdered sugar. For extra flair, scatter some toasted pecans or walnuts over the top or add a dollop of whipped cream. The color and crunch make every bite feel celebratory.
Side Dishes
Since this casserole is rich and custardy, fresh fruit is a wonderful partner—think juicy berries, orange slices, or crisp apple wedges. If you’re going for an extra indulgent brunch, crispy bacon or baked sausage links are always a crowd-pleaser alongside your Pumpkin French Toast Casserole.
Creative Ways to Present
For gatherings, try baking the casserole in individual ramekins for a fun, personalized touch. Or, cut into squares and serve on a platter topped with colorful fruit and a trickle of syrup. Pumpkin French Toast Casserole also shines on a breakfast bar with bowls of toppings—whipped cream, nuts, fresh berries—letting everyone customize their slice.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep leftovers at their best, wrap the Pumpkin French Toast Casserole tightly, or transfer portions to an airtight container. Pop them in the refrigerator, where the casserole will stay fresh for up to three days. The flavors keep melding and improving with time!
Freezing
Pumpkin French Toast Casserole is a fantastic make-ahead option, even beyond the refrigerator. After baking and cooling, freeze individual portions or the entire casserole well-wrapped. To enjoy later, simply thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
For the best texture, reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, loosely covered with foil to prevent over-browning. In a hurry, the microwave works for individual pieces, but a quick oven reheat preserves that deliciously crisp topping.
FAQs
Can I use another type Breakfast, Brunch
Absolutely! While brioche is the top choice for richness, any sturdy, slightly stale bread such as challah or a French baguette will soak up the custard nicely and hold its shape, giving your Pumpkin French Toast Casserole a lovely texture.
Is it possible to make this dairy-free?
Yes, you can easily substitute dairy-free milk and cream alternatives like almond or oat milk and coconut cream. And swap in plant-based butter for the topping. The final casserole will be just as cozy and delicious!
What’s the minimum chilling time?
You’ll get the best flavor and custard texture with an overnight soak, but if you’re in a rush, allow at least three hours for the bread to absorb the pumpkin-egg mixture before baking. The longer it soaks, the richer your Pumpkin French Toast Casserole will be.
Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?
Definitely! Chopped pecans, walnuts, or even chocolate chips add delightful crunch and flavor. Sprinkle them right into the custard-soaked bread or over the topping before baking for extra texture.
How do I know when the casserole is done?
The center should be set (not jiggly) and the top nicely golden. If you’re unsure, insert a knife in the center—it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, assuring your Pumpkin French Toast Casserole is perfectly baked.
Final Thoughts
This Pumpkin French Toast Casserole has all the heartwarming, autumnal flavors you crave, and it’s so easy to share with family or friends—no flipping or fussing required. Whether brunching or planning ahead for holidays, you’ll want to make this memorable fall favorite again and again!
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Pumpkin French Toast Casserole Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the flavors of fall with this delicious Pumpkin French Toast Casserole. It’s the perfect make-ahead breakfast or brunch dish for the holiday season, featuring a rich custard with pumpkin puree and warm spices, all baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Bread:
- 1 loaf (about 14 ounces) day-old brioche or French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
Custard:
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 6 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Topping:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- Maple syrup, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Bread and Custard: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and add the bread cubes. In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugars, spices, vanilla, and salt until smooth. Pour over the bread, press gently to soak, cover, and refrigerate.
- Bake the Casserole: Preheat oven. Combine topping ingredients, sprinkle over bread, drizzle with butter. Bake until set and golden. Cool slightly before serving with maple syrup.
Notes
- For extra crunch, add chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping.
- Perfect for make-ahead holiday breakfasts!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus overnight chilling)
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 160mg
